DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Planned elective pancreatic resection due to presumed pancreatic tumor (either proximal or distal pancreatic lesion) or presumed neoplasm of the ampullary or periampullary region Require peri-anastomotic drain(s) near the pancreaticoenterostomy or near the pancreatic stump closure The following are excluded: Emergency surgery of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis, pancreatic trauma) Known chronic pancreatitis (pancreatic cancer with duct obstructive chronic pancreatitis allowed) Need for total pancreatectomy Need for pancreatic transplantation Need for elective pancreatic-cyst anastomosis Need for pancreatic duct drainage operation without resection (pancreatic stents allowed if performed with partial pancreatic resection) Enucleation of a pancreatic neoplasm